Krishnam Raju Biography: Krishnam Raju, who is a well-known Telugu actor of the sixties and seventies and the former Union Minister for External Affairs and Defence passed away on September 11, 2024, while undergoing treatment for a brief illness at AIG Hospital at around 3.30 am. The 83-year-old veteran actor is survived by his wife and three daughters. He was also elected to Lok Sabha in 1998 and 1999 on the BJP ticket. He served as Union Minister of State for four years during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s last tenure as the PM of India from 1999-2004.
Krishnam Raju Biography
Born | January 20, 1940 |
Place of Birth | Mogalturu, Andhra Pradesh |
Age | 82 years |
Death | September 11, 2024 (Hyderabad) |
First Wife | Seeta Devi (died) |
Second Wife | Syamala Devi (m. 1996) |
Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Other Political Affiliations | Praja Rajyam Party |
Occupation | Actor, Politician |
Children | Sai Praseedha, Sai Pradeepti, Sai Prakeerti |
Awards | Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, Nandi Award for Best Actor, Filmfare Award for Best Actor-Telugu |
Krishnam Raju Wife, Family, Early Life, Brothers
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju was born to Uppalapati Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Raju on January 20, 1940. Actor Prabhas is his nephew and movie producer U. Suryanarayana Raju is his younger brother. Krishnam Raju once worked as a journalist for the Andhra Ratna and was also awarded the second Best Photographer at the State level.
Krishnam Raju first married Seeta Devi. After her passing away, he married Syamala Devi in 1996, with whom he has three daughters – Sai Praseedha, Sai Prakeerti, and Sai Pradeepti.
Krishnam Raju Acting Career
Krishnam Raju entered Tollywood in 1966 with Chilaka Gorinka directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma alongside Krishna Kumari. He won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film – Silver for his debut movie. He appeared in both antagonist and protagonist roles.
Krishnam Raju Filmography
Year | Films |
1966 | Chilaka Gorinka |
1967 | Sri Krishnavataram |
1970 | Malli Pelli |
1970 | Drohi |
1971 | Anuradha |
1972 | Raj Mahal |
1973 | Gandhi Puttina Desam |
1974 | Tulsi |
1974 | Harathi |
1976 | Amma Nana |
Krishnam Raju Political Career
Krishnam Raju was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998. He was a member of the Committee on Commerce member, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He was re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 elections. Krishnam Raju was the Union Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs from 2000-2001. He served as Union Minister of Defence from 2001-2002.
Krishnam Raju Awards
Awards | Year |
1977 | Filmfare Award South- Best Actor Award (Telugu) |
1978 | Filmfare Award South- Best Picture Award |
1984 | Filmfare Award South- Best Actor |
1977 | Nandi Awards (Best Actor) |
1984 | Nandi Awards (Best Actor) |
1994 | Nandi Awards (Best Character Actor) |
2015 | Lifetime Achievement Award (Gulf Andhra Musical Awards) |